Welcome to Your Monthly Update of Music You Need to Hear
First of all, a massive thank you to Becky for having me along as part of the Country Evolution team. It’s an honour to be here. [Note the spelling of ‘honour’, which will give you a clue that I am from overseas, here in the south west of England!].
I first became aware of Country in the early 70’s as a young lad of about six or seven, when albums by Charlie Rich and Don Williams were played at home. Although I love many styles of music, Country has always stayed with me and those artists are why I still always prefer the more Traditional style artists.
My radio show, The Country Mile, has been on air since January 2017 and my aim is to promote all new music by mainly independent artists. So every month, check back here and I will give you a round-up of what I have been playing on the show – not looking at massive full reviews but more bitesize chunks. Please do try and explore the artists and maybe my radio show too!
Jesse Daniel – Rollin’ On
This superb album by Jesse Daniel has been out a couple of months now but as this is my first round-up, I wanted to highlight it still. So far across 2020, it has to be my personal favourite Country album. If I find a better one in the rest of the year, I will be super happy. This is as close to a perfect traditional album as you will find, right from the album cover itself, to the songs, to the flow of the track list. Jesse brings us a Bakersfield sound on ‘Rollin’ On’, from the cracking title track that races along and features a fine outro section to the fun instrumental of ‘Chickadee’. ‘If You Ain’t Happy Now ( You Never Will Be ) is spot on Honky Tonk, ‘St. Claire’s Retreat’ is a laid back Western tune and then probably my favourite of all, ‘Old At Heart’, full of everything you need in a classic Country song. An absolute essential purchase.
Hill Country – Hill Country
This new album has been released in a slightly original way, with it being exclusive to the Hill Country website for the time being. The idea is for the middleman to be cut out, so the funds go direct, maybe an idea that will become more widespread in the future. You can also join up to The Hideout on the website, from as little as $5 a month, which allows you to stream lots of music, as well as seeing videos from the band along the way. But what is the music actually like? Many will already know Zane Williams, a fine solo artist in his own right of course. Paul Eason is also part of the line up and they have collected some damned fine tunes here. The first three songs are laid back, as are the last handful and then in-between, we have the more up tempo tracks.
The band name suits the style of the music, which draws you in, chills you out, makes you want to sing along. Not too far from the recent release from The Panhandlers I would say. At various points, you have songs like The Eagles’ ‘Take It Easy’ in flavour, with the whole group harmonising so well. ‘Hey Susannah’ could be Tom Petty in a ‘Learning To Fly’ kinda style perhaps. We have a load of banjo and a storming chorus on ‘Evergreen’ and then ‘Dixie Darlin’ isn’t too far away from a Bluegrass tune. A top class album for driving along to.
Will Banister – Everything Burns
The third main album I want to highlight is the new release from Will Banister, perhaps an artist that has stayed under the radar for way too long. I would love to think this one will really push him onto a lot of lists for Best Album of 2020 when the time comes. From New Mexico and not far from the Texas border line, he was raised listening to the likes of George Strait, Merle, Hank Williams and Brooks & Dunn. For me, Strait is an obvious reference point for anyone contemplating getting this one, lots along the way could easily fit onto any George album. The likes of ‘Burning It Up Again’ rocks and rolls nicely, then we have the catchy ‘Easy To Love’, as good a traditional Country song as you will find all year. Then you have the sad songs such as ‘A Woman I Can’t Live Without’. In fact, everything you could want along the way. Highly recommended.
One of the massive perks of hosting a radio show, is how many music submissions you get, pretty much daily. Digital links are the usual way, means costs are pretty much zero for the artists and PR companies and the simplest way to get things done. In some ways, it can also be a curse, as we don’t always get chance to really settle on albums we love, as the next one is arriving any minute now! Another joy is getting music from artists and finding something great to love….and then to share it on the playlists….and now with this monthly round up.
Amber Digby – Heroes, Mentors, and Friends: The Legends Project
The wonderful Amber Digby has released ‘Heroes, Mentors, and Friends: The Legends Project’, a collection of classic Country songs, alongside a whole host of guest artists, such as Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn and Vince Gill. This really is a special album.
Drew Fish Band – Wishful Drinkin’
Austin, Texas artists, the Drew Fish Band, recently released their latest CD, ‘Wishful Drinkin’, the album title nearly put me off to be honest, I thought it sounded a bit ‘Bro Country’. But the reality is that we have an excellent album full of tunes. So much huge talent on the Texas scene right now, I have artists on most shows these days. Drew has an original voice that suits them perfectly, this is just an album full of songs that you will enjoy.
Emily Nenni – Long Game
Next up, we have a four track EP from Emily Nenni, which I really enjoyed. She has that perfect Southern twang to her vocals which suits the Honky Tonk bar room sound. I’m sure you can invest some pennies or cents in a download at a great value price!
John Anderson – Years
John Anderson is one of those legends in Country music that is mainly known by the hardcore fans. When it was announced that he was releasing a new album, there was much excitement online. Titled simply ‘Years’, it really is a class collection. His worn voice is just right for the songs and I was happy to hear so many melodies and hooks along the way. Another purchase you should all be looking for, a real easy listen.
Mickey Lamantia – Honky Tonk Confessions: Chapter One
If you fancy a touch of the Outlaw sound, then Mickey Lamantia should be at the top of your lists. Recently releasing ‘Honky Tonk Confessions: Chapter One’ [ with Chapter Two imminent as well ], his vocals draw you into the songs beautifully.
Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen – Hold My Beer Vol. Two
Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen brought out ‘Hold My Beer Vol. One’ five years ago and that one entertained everyone superbly. Now they return with a follow up, cunningly titled ‘Hold My Beer Vol. Two’! If you loved the first, you will love this and maybe even more so. Twelve songs, covering all kinds of traditional Country but with a touch of humour along the way. ‘Rodeo Clown’ was the lead off song, full of fiddle and pedal steel and clever lyrics: ‘She didn’t just leave me, she left me for a Rodeo Clown’. This album includes some of the best songs of their kind you will hear all year, simple as that. My own highlights: ‘Rhinestoned’ and ‘Speak To Me Jukebox’.
The Coaltown Daisies – Listen
Before I finish on a touch of Bluegrass, let me give you one more album and something totally different to what else is here. The Coaltown Daisies are a female duo, Vivienne and Lynzy, from Fife in Scotland. They play Americana, Folk and more, with Country and Gaelic influences across their new album, ‘Listen’. A broad theme of mental health is the basis for the songs and you get up tempo romps alongside laid back tunes that draw you in. Tons of melodies to sing along to as well, go and investigate if you fancy something different this month.
…And More!
I have a Bluegrass Double Play on every edition of The Country Mile, for me its a style of music that can put a big fat smile on your face. A few recent releases that are all highly recommended include the following: Special Consensus ‘Chicago Barn Dance’; from Australia, The New Graces with ‘Seasons’. Chris Roberts‘ ‘Mountain Standard Time’ is excellent, as is Junior Sisk ‘Load The Wagon’ and Kristy Cox with ‘No Headlights’. Thomm Jutz released ‘To Live In Two Worlds Volume One’, The Appalachian Road Show gave us the masterpiece of ‘Tribulation as well. Tons more I could list but lets just also include The Fly Birds with the wonderfully titled ‘The Band Is Causing Problems Today’ and also Few Miles South with the ‘Wiregrass EP’.
Explore More Music
Thank you for reading, if you got this far then I want to give you a HIGH FIVE! So much more I could tell you about, maybe you can check my on demand page at http://www.hearthis.at/thecountrymile and discover the many other artists I feature on the playlists every week. Please do not think real country music is dead! It’s alive and kicking and I just want to tell you all about it! So hopefully you will find new things to enjoy above and we can do it all again next month.